CFM International's 34,000-pound thrust CFM56-5C4 engine has completed a six-month flight test program powering the 271-tonne Airbus Industrie A340 and is on schedule for certification in March. The first aircraft will be delivered to Singapore Airlines in April.
The Airbus Industrie flight test program was designed to confirm overall aircraft/engine performance and operability features and to verify aircraft systems. The higher gross weight A340 logged more 200 hours with no engine problems.
CFMI and Airbus Industrie have developed a thrust bump option for both the 257- and 271-tonne versions of the A340 to improve takeoff performance by increasing the aircraft's maximum takeoff gross weight capability at some airports. This feature will be introduced later this year.
The CFM56-5C is the exclusive powerplant for the Airbus A340. The aircraft entered service in March 1993 and has logged more than 1.6 million flight hours.
CFM International is a 50/50 joint company of Snecma (Safran Group) of France and General Electric of the United States.